Rantoul, IL vs Rock Island, IL

Rantoul, IL and Rock Island, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.4% difference in their overall index. Rantoul scores 68 while Rock Island scores 66 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Rantoul is $899/month compared to $819/month in Rock Island — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Rock Island has cheaper rent, Rantoul actually has lower median home values ($109,200 vs $118,400).

Median household income in Rantoul is $49,821 compared to $57,292 in Rock Island (-13%). Rock Island offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Rantoul spend roughly 21.7% of their income on rent, more than the 17.2% in Rock Island.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.3°F vs 51.2°F). Rantoul receives more rainfall at 40.4" per year compared to 38.3" in Rock Island.